Sheared Heels in horses is a hoof condition where uneven heel height causes pain and lameness due to uneven weight distribution.

Sheared Heels

Seek veterinary advice before applying any treatment.

Sheared heels can be defined as a hoof capsule distortion resulting from displacement of one heel bulb proximally relative to the adjacent heel bulb. When looking at an affected horse’s hooves from the rear, you will be able to see that the coronary band is not level; the line over the affected heel is higher than the normal heel.

Sheared heels are most likely caused by abnormal forces being placed on one side of the foot and are seen frequently in horses with abnormal limb or foot conformation on the affected foot or feet.

Symptoms

  • Lameness
  • Abnormal change in gait
  • Change in hoof angle
  • Abnormal wear
  • Swelling
  • Hot hooves
  • Coronary bands not straight
  • Narrowing of the foot
  • Deformed
  • Frog atrophy
  • Asymetrical heel height

Treatment

Corrective shoeing coupled with selective trimming of the hoof attempts to decrease the impact on the distorted heel by altering the strike pattern. Hoof trimming should improve the landing pattern of the hoof rather than trimming the hoof perpendicular to the long axis of the limb.

Prevention

Keep your horse’s feet trimmed short and never allow the toes or heels to grow too long. Your farrier will suggest a recommended shoeing cycle and it is best to keep your horse on that recommended cycle.

How Happie can help you manage your horse's health

Happie Horse App digitale Gesundheitsakte

Digital health management offers numerous benefits in modern equine healthcare.

With the Happie Horse App, you can track symptom patterns and body values, such as Temperature, Pulse and Respiration. Allowing you to notice abnormal changes in body and behaviour early on, leading to more successful treatments.

The Happie symptom checker allows you to add all of your horse's abnormal symptoms in order to present potential causes and diseases.

Google Play
App Store

Related articles

White line disease in horses is a fungal or bacterial infection that affects the inner layer of the hoof, causing separation between the hoof wall and the underlying structures
Hoof Diseases

White Line Disease

White Line Disease Seek veterinary advice before applying any treatment. White Line Disease is caused by the invasion of fungi

Laminitis in horses is a painful inflammatory condition of the hoof tissues, often leading to lameness and severe complications.
Hoof Diseases

Laminitis in Horses

Laminitis in Horses This disease is life-threatening and should be treated by a veterinarian swiftly. Laminitis is an inflammation of

Heel Bulb Laceration in horses is a deep cut in the heel area, often requiring prompt veterinary care to prevent infection.
Hoof Diseases

Heel Bulb Laceration

Heel Bulb Laceration Seek veterinary advice before applying any treatment. Lacerations of traumatic origin that occur in the heel bulb